Dental articulator with removable analogue blocks

ABSTRACT

A dental articulator including upper and lower frames, the lower frame having a pair of laterally separated spherical styluses representing simulated condyles which extend upwardly therefrom. The upper frame has a pair of lateral arms and a forward arm, and the forward arm has means for indicating the orbital axis reference point. The lateral arms of the upper frame are adapted to receive a pair of simulated upper joint members, or analogue blocks, which are removably fastened thereto. Each simulated upper joint member has a roughly cubical configuration except for one longitudinal edge being cut off and curved in approximately a 90* arc so that the configuration of the member also corresponds approximately to one-quarter of a cylinder. A generally flat side opposite the curved surface is adapted to be attached to the underside of the articulator upper frame. Each simulated upper joint member has an irregularly shaped opening formed in its curved surface, one part of that opening representing the centric relation position. Each simulated upper joint member (analogue block) also has a dimple formed in its outward lateral side. When the spherical styluses of the lower frame are received in the centric parts of the openings of the simulated upper joint members, the common axis of the two dimples also passes through the radius centers of the spherical styluses. The articulator also includes a centric reference means for indicating the lateral alignment of the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The centric reference means has upper and lower parts extending from the respective frames, the two parts being adapted to interengage at a point precisely located on the common axis that passes through the radius centers of the two spherical styluses.

United States Patent [72] inventor Robert L. Lee

Colton, Calif. [211 App]. No. 836,293 [22] Filed June 25, 1969 23 Division of Ser. No. $69,472, Aug. 1, 1966.

, Pat. No. 3,452,439. [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [73] Assignees Gene W. Arant;

Robert L. Lee; Arlene M. Lee, Los Angeles, Calif. part interest to each [54] DENTAL ARTICULATOR WITH REMOVABLE ANALOGUE BLOCKS 19 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 32/32 [51] Int. Cl. A61c 11/00 [50] Field ofSearch 32/32 [56] References Cited 7 v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,176,400 4/1965 DePietro 32/32 3,387,369 6/l968 Swanson 32/32 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock AtromeyBeehler & Arant ABSTRACT: A dental articulator including upper and lower frames, the lower frame having a pair of laterally separated r 1a,s93,424

spherical styluses representing simulated condyles which extend upwardly therefrom. The upper frame has a pair of lateral arms and a forward arm, and the forward arm has means for indicating the orbital axis reference point. The lateral arms of the upper frame are adapted to receive a pair of simulated upper joint members, or analogue blocks, which are removably fastened thereto.

Each simulated upper joint member has a roughly cubical configuration except for one longitudinal edge being cut off and curved in approximatelya 90 are so that the configuration of the member also corresponds approximately to onequarter of a cylinder. A generally flat side opposite the curved surface is adapted to be attached to the underside of the articulator upper frame. Each simulated upper joint member has an irregularly shaped opening formed in its curved surface, one part of that opening representing the centric relation position.

Each simulated upper joint member (analogue block) also has a dimple formed in its outward lateral side. When the spherical styluses of the lower frame are received in the centric parts of the openings of the simulated upper joint members, the common axis of the two dimples also passes through the radius centers of the spherical styluses.

The articulator also includes a centric reference means for indicating the lateral alignment of the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The centric reference means has upper and lower parts extending from the respective frames, the two parts being adapted to interengage at a point precisely located n the common axis that passes through the radius centers of the two spherical styluses.

PATENTEB JUL20 1971 SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR. 05527 4. 455

"' Drawi' g FIGS. 1 to l0,' nclusive, of the areid'entical to drawingFlGS oil to 6 9',-inclusive,' of the 'Attentionia allo directed DENTAL Aarrcuu'roawrni RsMovAaLs ANALOGUE BLOCKS The present application is a division of my copending prior applications-er.No,.569472 f le'd Aug. l l966 ,'no,w U.S. Pat. 4 a .No. 3.452,439 issu ed July 1,;l969.Theentiredrawing and. l

specification 'of the patent are, incorporated. herein by reference in order to provide a full and complete disclosure of; the pre'sentinventi'on. P

"' S'lJ Ml idAi tY or THa-iuvENnoN The present invention providcsa dental articulator which is v j I basedon no arbitrary assumptions except that thecentricrelation pojsitionof the mandible can be .reliablyrecorded and can thereforebe accurately-reproduced in the articulator. The ar-' 1 ticulat'oriofthe presentinvention has an upper frame with a defined'horiz'ontal axis' a lowerframe with a defined horizon- 7 tal'axis; and a centric reference device for centering the-upper frame laterally with reference. to the lower frame.

A. unique'feature-of the invention is that the centric vreference'device is operative not merelyin a vertical plane which. represents the lateral centers of the two frames, but

horizontal axesof both frames,

According to present-invention all of the movemeht which-are removably attached inipredetermined positions to an opening is formed that represents the jaw movement inforf v mation. j

.Anotherunique feature of the invention is that a dimple is formedin the outward lateral end of each analogue block, the

-'common axis' of the'itwo'jdimples passing through the: radius centers of the spherical'styluses of the articulator lower frame whenthose styluses are received in the centric'p arts'of the openings in the analogue blocks. The dimples in .the analogue blocks are used duringthe;transferofcasts, by means of a con- .yen'tional transfer face bow, to' obtain a proper static-reference positioh in three dimensions so thatthe-casts when received by the articulator willbe'intheircorrect positions relative 'tothe horizontal axeso'f the upper and lower frames of theartic'ulator. '1.

josawmosumiaav v r FIG. a rear elevational view ofthe articulator'lower frame;

. FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the articulator lower frame; FIG. 3.]is aside [elevations]; view of the articulator lower FIG. 6.is a .rear elevational view of the articulator upper I articulator upper frame; Y

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the articulator. upper frame;

" FIG. 9"-is.;a cross sectional view of theileft simulated joint membertaken'on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and I g K]. 10a an exploded perspective view of the articulator in a form ready to receive dental models.

present application referenced patent," g

I to ros. 42.43. 44.11 of the patent which show the, dimples in the outward lateral end wall pins,- each'occupying a corresponding hole in said upper frame radius center of one part of said i so information is. incorporated into a pair of analogue blocks in the upper portionof FIG. 79.

' What I claim is: a

l. lnan apparatus for recording and reproducing jaw movements; a simulated upper joint member including a solid body of rigid plastic material, having a roughly cubical'configuration except for the lower rearward longitudinal edge thereof beingcut off and curved inapproximately a 90-arcso that said member also corresponds approximately to one-quarter of a cylinder, having a generally flat upper side which is adapted to be removably attached either to the upper frame of a transfer apparatus or to an articulator upper frame, said member having anirregularly shaped opening formed in the curved surface thereof, the bottom of said opening being of concave configuration and havinga common radius of curvature at various points thereof said member .having' a dimple formed in one end thereof and said dimple together with the opening forming an axis which is parallel to said generally flat upper side.

2.- Ajsimulated upper joint member asclaimed in claim. 1

"having an elongated lug on said generally flat side thereof.

. 4. A dentalarticulator upper frame having a pair of lateral morespecifically itis operat ve at a point which l eson the arms anda forward arm; '2. I U v g centric reference means associated with the lateral center of a pair ofsim'ulated upper joint members each formed from a .solid body of rigid plastic material and having an irregularly shaped 'openingformed in the under surface thereof;

- .said'frame having laterally extending slideways formed in 35 the respective lateral arms thereof;

. means rem ovably fastening saidsimulated upper joint members to the lateral arms of said upper frame in selected positions of lateral adjustment'relative to respective ones of said slideways; v

and each said simulated upper joint member having a' dimple formed in its laterally outward side, whereby said simulated upper joint members may be moved laterally in said slideways so that said dimples may be engaged by the pointers of a transfer face bow.

5. An articulator upper frame as'claimed in claim 4 wherein said centric reference means. is a spring-loaded 'pin slidable vertically through an-openingin said upper frame.

6. The .articulator upperframe claimed in claim. 5 which further includesa setscrew for fastening said pin in a selected vertical position. 1 g Y I g 7. The articulator upper frame claimed in claim 4 wherein a locator hole is formed in each lateral arm thereof adjacent the corresponding slideway, each said simulated upper joint member has a corresponding slot formed in its uppersurface,

and which'further includes a pair of vertically slidablelocator andadapted .to selectivelyengage the slot'of the simulated a centric reference notch is formed in the upper surface of joint member when said simulated joint members are positioned at a standard separation distance.

' 8.'A lower frame for a dental articulator comprising:

' a forwardly extending arm; g a pair. of laterally extending arms at the rearward end of said forward arm posts rising from the outward ends of said lateral arms;

and ahorizontal truss extending usaid posts;

the central portion of said truss being elevated relative to its ends.' H 9. An articulator lower frame as claimed in claim 8'wherein said truss at its lateral center.

l0. A dental-articulator lowerframe as claimed in claim 9 having a pair of spherical ltyluses supported above respective ones of said posts; and having a flat reference surface formed between the upper ends of on the upper central portion of said truss on respective sides of said centric notch, said flat reference surface being at the same elevation as the radius centers of said spherical styluses.

11. A lower frame for a dental articulator as claimed in claim wherein said forward arm, said lateral arms, said posts, and said truss are integrally formed from a singlemetallic member.

12. A dental articulator comprising, in combination:

upper and lower articulator frames, said upper frame having a pair of lateral arms and a forward arm;

a pair of laterally separated spherical styluses representing simulated condyles supported from said lower frame and extending upwardly therefrom;

centric reference means coacting between the lateral centers of said frames for indicating the lateral alignment of the upper frame relative to the lower frame, said centric reference means including upper and lower parts adapted to interengage on a line which intersects the centers of both of said spherical styluses;

the forward arm of said articulator upper frame having means provided thereon for indicating the orbital axis reference point;

a pair of simulated upper joint members each formed from a solid body of rigid plastic material having an irregularly shaped opening formed in the undersurface thereof, the bottom of each said opening being of concave configuration;

and means removably fastening said simulated upper joint members to the lateral arms of said upper frame so that said openings receive said spherical styluses.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said rigid plastic body has a roughly cubical configuration except for the transversely extending lower rearward edge thereof being cut off and curved in approximately a 90 are so that said body also corresponds approximately to one-quarter of a cylinder, said opening extending in a generally front-to-rear direction along said curved surface.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the bottom of each said opening has common radius of curvature at various points thereof. A

l5.'Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bottom of each said opening has a common radius of curvature at various points thereof, equal to the radius of curvature of said spherical styluses. v j

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the upper part of said centric reference meansds a spring-loaded pin slidable vertically through an opening in said upper frame.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said simulated upper joint member has a dimple formed in'its outward lateral side, said dimples being aligned with the radius centers of the centric parts of said openings. 1

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein, said upper frame has laterally extending slideways formed therein, said simulated upper joint members being slidable laterally outwardly when said removable fastening means are removed; and wherein said lower frame also has laterally extending slideways in which said spherical styluses are slidable laterally outwardly.

19. A simulated upper joint member adapted for reproducing jaw movements, 1

said simulated upper joint member having a roughly cubical configuration with a generally flat upper side upon which an elongated lug is formed for purpose of attaching the joint member either to a transfer apparatus or to an articulator upper frame,

the lower portion of said member being formed from a solid body of rigid plastic material and one lower longitudinal edge thereof being cut off and curved in approximately a are so that said member also corresponds approximately to one-quarter ofa cylinder,

said member having a dimple formed in one end thereof for purpose of hinge axis alignment,

said member also having a locator hole formed In said flat upper side adjacent to said elongated lug for locating said member in a predetermined longitudinal position relative to a slideway in which said elongated lug is slidingly received. 

1. In an apparatus for recording and reproducing jaw movements, a simulated upper joint member including a solid body of rigid plastic material, having a roughly cubical configuration except for the lower rearward longitudinal edge thereof being cut off and curved in approximately a 90* arc so that said member also corresponds approximately to one-quarter of a cylinder, having a generally flat upper side which is adapted to be removably attached either to the upper frame of a transfer apparatus or to an articulator upper frame, said member having an irregularly shaped opening formed in the curved surface thereof, the bottom of said opening being of concave configuration and having a common radius of curvature at various points thereof, said member having a dimple formed in one end thereof and said dimple together with the radius center of one part of said opening forming an axis which is parallel to said generally flat upper side.
 2. A simulated upper joint member as claimed in claim 1 having an elongated lug on said generally flat side thereof.
 3. A simulated upper joint member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said solid body forms a wall extending about the entire circumference of said opening, including the laterally outward side thereof.
 4. A dental articulator upper frame having a pair of lateral arms and a forward arm; centric reference means associated with the lateral center of said frame; a pair of simulated upper joint members each formed from a solid body of rigid plastic material and having an irregularly shaped opening formed in the under surface thereof; said frame having laterally extending slideways formed in the respective lateral arms thereof; means removably fastening said simulated upper joint members to the lateral arms of said upper frame in selected positions of lateral adjustment relative to respective ones of said slideways; and each said simulated upper joint member having a dimple formed in its laterally outward side, whereby said simulated upper joint members may be moVed laterally in said slideways so that said dimples may be engaged by the pointers of a transfer face bow.
 5. An articulator upper frame as claimed in claim 4 wherein said centric reference means is a spring-loaded pin slidable vertically through an opening in said upper frame.
 6. The articulator upper frame claimed in claim 5 which further includes a setscrew for fastening said pin in a selected vertical position.
 7. The articulator upper frame claimed in claim 4 wherein a locator hole is formed in each lateral arm thereof adjacent the corresponding slideway, each said simulated upper joint member has a corresponding slot formed in its upper surface, and which further includes a pair of vertically slidable locator pins, each occupying a corresponding hole in said upper frame and adapted to selectively engage the slot of the simulated joint member when said simulated joint members are positioned at a standard separation distance.
 8. A lower frame for a dental articulator comprising: a forwardly extending arm; a pair of laterally extending arms at the rearward end of said forward arm; posts rising from the outward ends of said lateral arms; and a horizontal truss extending between the upper ends of said posts; the central portion of said truss being elevated relative to its ends.
 9. An articulator lower frame as claimed in claim 8 wherein a centric reference notch is formed in the upper surface of said truss at its lateral center.
 10. A dental articulator lower frame as claimed in claim 9 having a pair of spherical styluses supported above respective ones of said posts, and having a flat reference surface formed on the upper central portion of said truss on respective sides of said centric notch, said flat reference surface being at the same elevation as the radius centers of said spherical styluses.
 11. A lower frame for a dental articulator as claimed in claim 10 wherein said forward arm, said lateral arms, said posts, and said truss are integrally formed from a single metallic member.
 12. A dental articulator comprising, in combination: upper and lower articulator frames, said upper frame having a pair of lateral arms and a forward arm; a pair of laterally separated spherical styluses representing simulated condyles supported from said lower frame and extending upwardly therefrom; centric reference means coacting between the lateral centers of said frames for indicating the lateral alignment of the upper frame relative to the lower frame, said centric reference means including upper and lower parts adapted to interengage on a line which intersects the centers of both of said spherical styluses; the forward arm of said articulator upper frame having means provided thereon for indicating the orbital axis reference point; a pair of simulated upper joint members each formed from a solid body of rigid plastic material having an irregularly shaped opening formed in the undersurface thereof, the bottom of each said opening being of concave configuration; and means removably fastening said simulated upper joint members to the lateral arms of said upper frame so that said openings receive said spherical styluses.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said rigid plastic body has a roughly cubical configuration except for the transversely extending lower rearward edge thereof being cut off and curved in approximately a 90* arc so that said body also corresponds approximately to one-quarter of a cylinder, said opening extending in a generally front-to-rear direction along said curved surface.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the bottom of each said opening has common radius of curvature at various points thereof.
 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bottom of each said opening has a common radius of curvature at various points thereof, equal to the radius of curvature of said spherical styluses.
 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the uppeR part of said centric reference means is a spring-loaded pin slidable vertically through an opening in said upper frame.
 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said simulated upper joint member has a dimple formed in its outward lateral side, said dimples being aligned with the radius centers of the centric parts of said openings.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said upper frame has laterally extending slideways formed therein, said simulated upper joint members being slidable laterally outwardly when said removable fastening means are removed; and wherein said lower frame also has laterally extending slideways in which said spherical styluses are slidable laterally outwardly.
 19. A simulated upper joint member adapted for reproducing jaw movements, said simulated upper joint member having a roughly cubical configuration with a generally flat upper side upon which an elongated lug is formed for purpose of attaching the joint member either to a transfer apparatus or to an articulator upper frame, the lower portion of said member being formed from a solid body of rigid plastic material and one lower longitudinal edge thereof being cut off and curved in approximately a 90* arc so that said member also corresponds approximately to one-quarter of a cylinder, said member having a dimple formed in one end thereof for purpose of hinge axis alignment, said member also having a locator hole formed in said flat upper side adjacent to said elongated lug for locating said member in a predetermined longitudinal position relative to a slideway in which said elongated lug is slidingly received. 